Dynamic Duo Headed to T-Town?

Tom Culpepper

08/28/2001

"Charlie (Vample) and I will definitely take an unofficial visit to
Alabama," said running back Deshawn Wynn. "We are trying to make plans to come down to Alabama this Saturday for their game against UCLA. Alabama is one of my top four schools and I would like to see what their games are like."

Wynn, a 6-foot, 215-pounder from Reading High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the top running back prospects in the nation. His teammate, Charlie Vample, is an outstanding prospect in his own right. Vample, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound wide receiver, has the Crimson Tide high on his list as well.

"Both Charlie and Deshawn really want to make an unofficial visit to Alabama," said Reading High School Head Coach Ken Minor. "Hopefully, they will be able to make it down this weekend."

Reading High School played their first game of the season last Friday night and both prospects had outstanding performances. Vample scored two touchdowns on a 77-yard reception and a 60-yard punt return. He also had a 70-yard touchdown called back on a penalty. Wynn rushed for 245 yards and four touchdowns on only ten attempts. Needless to say, Reading won the game in a 70-0 route.

Vample and Wynn are rarities in more ways than one. First, just the fact two outstanding prospects of their caliber are on the same team in a small classification. Second, their head coach is an Alabama fan despite living in a state where the Ohio State Buckeyes face little opposition from other instate programs, much less programs outside the state.

"I've liked Alabama since I was in the fourth or fifth grade," said Coach Minor. "I liked Coach (Paul) Bryant's teams because I was an undersized linemen and he won with smaller linemen. I went out and bought some books on Coach Bryant and decided I wanted to be a coach."

Coach Minor is not the only person at Reading with strong feelings for the Crimson Tide. He need only look around his team's locker room to find a comrade.

On the football field, the duo presents quite a dilemma for opposing teams. Picking your poison is not much consolation as you watch the scoreboard light up.

"Deshawn is the total package," said Coach Minor. "He has power, speed, and great vision. Charlie is a clutch player who bails us out when teams gang up on Deshawn. He is a great leaper and has a real flair to him, too."

Vample and Wynn are hoping to make the trip to Tuscaloosa and Alabama fans are hoping the atmosphere is a great fit for both halves of this dynamic duo.

Editor's Note: The possibility of Charlie Vample and Deshawn Wynn choosing the Tide is getting stronger as the process moves forward.